Page 36 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy (Home to Texas #2)

She wasn’t having a good day. And he was truly sorry about that, but he had a mission to accomplish here. He had to find out more about the farm. He had to see if there was a way to save three generations of hard work and toil, from going under.

Whether pretty, fiery, Autumn Messina wanted him here or not.

*

Autumn stood over the oven, stalling for time, fussing with tamales that were more than ready to bring to the kitchen table.

She had trouble looking into Sam Russell’s amazing blue eyes.

They always seemed to dance whenever she was around him, winking at her, suggesting she was something special.

That look, those eyes, and the blond hair begging to grow in from his military cut, made her stomach ache.

He was still handsome. More so. He was older, had the look of a man who’d seen ugliness in the world.

A man who’d come out the other side. When she was a kid, Sam could wrap her around his finger without even knowing it.

A kind word, a compliment from him had her following him around like a little puppy.

Her crush lasted for years, and that one night they’d shared in the barn, had her thinking it was all worth it.

Had her believing he’d felt that overwhelming rush of emotion too.

He was worth all the secret anguish she’d endured trying to get him to look at her, not as Joe’s kid sister, not as a child, but as a woman who wanted him.

And then he’d left. Taking her brother with him.

Shattering her dreams. She squeezed her eyes closed and counted to three.

She’d had this conversation in her head a hundred times.

She was tired of it. She’d moved on. Finally.

She’d worked the farm all those long years, doing her best to keep her father’s health from declining and running the farm with a small staff, while earning a degree in education.

“Those tamales aren’t going to get any more done,” Papa said in his kindest voice from his seat at the head of the table.

And then Sam was beside her, picking up a bowl of rice. “Can I help?’ he asked in a quiet whisper.

“Looks like you already are.” Damn, she shouldn’t have snapped at him.

It was beyond rude. It was just that… Sam had that effect on her. He made her dizzy. He always had. It boggled her mind that he still did.

“Smells delicious. Looks even better.”

His compliment didn’t nudge her into a better mood. She wasn’t seventeen anymore. “You always loved tamales.”

“I always loved your tamales. And here I am, eating them again with your family.”

She gazed into his eyes, seeing the sparkle, the clear blue that could melt a girl right on the spot.

She bit her lip to keep from thanking him. “Well, then we should eat. Before they get cold.”

“That’s a good idea,” Papa said.

With Sam’s help, they brought the meal to the table.

She grabbed a pitcher of lemonade out of the fridge and poured each of them a glass.

Sam waited for her to sit, before he did.

She shook her head. Whether military or Southern manners, it was an archaic gesture that she secretly enjoyed.

She wouldn’t admit that aloud. Not in this day and age.

Yet, her brother Joe and Papa, were also culprits in the manners department. So, she couldn’t argue the point.

“Your turn to say grace, Autumn,” Papa said, bowing his head.

Sam had been a part of this ritual in her family too, so it seemed natural when he put his head down.

“Dear Lord, thank you for the abundance of food on the table. May you keep Joe and S—, uh, keep all the soldiers safe who are serving our country. Give them strength as you watch over each and every one of them. And please, may you keep watch over our family too. Thank you, dear Lord, for your kindness and grace. Amen.”

She passed along the dish of tamales to Sam.

Their fingers touched and heat rose up her neck, his intense stare unwavering.

Yes, they’d prayed for him too, every night before dinner.

Sam’s smug expression changed to one of astonishment and gratitude.

The reflection in his eyes not to be missed.

She shrugged and pointed to the food. “Are you gonna eat?”

“Oh, uh, yeah. Thanks.” He dished up a few tamales covered in cheese and passed along the dish to Papa. But his gaze returned to her again, his eyes a heat factory, melting her bones. Why couldn’t he just go away?

The three of them were quiet for a time, digging into the food. Her papa liked to fill his tummy full before starting conversation. Sam understood that as well.

Once the tamales were gobbled up, she rose grabbing for the empty plates. Sam rose too and she shook him off. “No thanks. I can manage,” she told him.

He lowered down and pursed his lips.

Good. Maybe he’d get the message and leave.

“How is my son doing over there?” Papa asked. “I mean, his letters seem to say it’s safe and there is nothing to worry about.”

Sam nodded. “For the most part, that’s true.

We were seeing very little action. The missions now are more surveillance based.

” He paused, as if searching for the right words.

“I mean, every so often, skirmishes do arise, and we’d have to lock them down.

But Joe’s smart, a good leader. I was lucky and proud to serve with him for the past few years. ”

“Yes, my son is all those things, but a father still worries. I cannot wait until he comes back to the States.”

“There’s a de-escalation in the works. It may not be too long now.”

“But Joe’s never coming home to us. Being a Ranger is his career,” she said. She had to continually point that out so her father wouldn’t get his hopes up. Things were never going to go back to how they were, with her father and Joe working the land, keeping the farm prosperous.

“I know, mi hija bonita . I know. My daughter doesn’t think I face reality,” Papa told Sam. “But I do. I only want my boy out of that godforsaken land. It’s what I pray for every night.”

“I understand. We all want Joe back. When I left, Joe had no idea the farm was in trouble.” Sam glanced at her, and she immediately crossed her arms over her chest. This was none of his business.

“Yes, I know. I have misled my son. The last few times he was home on leave, things were good, so he had no cause to worry. It’s only been the past two seasons where we ran into real trouble.

The soil is tired, we had little rain, an unexpected snowfall last winter and my creaky bones started acting up.

I couldn’t do the work I love to do. Farming is in my blood, but age and time unfortunately have crept up on me. ”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Maybe Joe will have a solution for you, when you tell him.”

“No, no. My Autumn has sacrificed enough for this farm. For me. I cannot ask her to do more than she already has. She has worked hard, running the farm and going to school. And Seth and Alicia, can’t handle any more.

They have worked very hard and been very loyal.

” Her father sighed. “I’m afraid I’ve faced the truth. ”

“Which is?”

“Sell the farm and move into town.”

Sam blinked. “Joe would never want this.”

“Joe is not here,” Autumn said quietly. “I am.” She loved her brother, she really did, but he left to pursue his dream and he had no say now in what happened to Messina Farms. “And I can’t see a way to save the farm. I have an appointment with Blake Charles Realty in two weeks to discuss the sale.”

Her father flinched. She’d told him that she would be in contact with a Realtor, but it was all becoming real now.

“What is it, Manny?” Sam asked pointedly.

“It’s not easy hearing this, but it needs to be done. I only have one wish.” Papa’s dark eyes lowered.

“What is it, Papa?”

“It would make an old man happy to put on one last Messina Farms Fall Festival. We have not missed a year since the farm began. It would do my heart good to see it one more time.”

Autumn blinked. Named for the fall season, she’d often shared her birthday with the weekend long festival, and it was always a very special time.

If she could pull it off, it would be an honorable farewell for the farm and the workers who’d been so dedicated.

She blinked, her mind spinning. It would take some hard work, especially now that she was teaching, but she’d find a way.

It wouldn’t make up for losing the farm, but it would bring her father great joy to do this for the community one last time.

“Papa, I think I can manage that. It won’t be easy, but I agree we should do what we can this season. ”

“I’ll help,” Sam said immediately. “I’ll make sure to get it done.”

“You?” She’d almost forgotten Sam was in the room.

“Yeah, me. Are you forgetting I used to work here on the weekends? I know how things run and whatever I’ve forgotten, I’m sure you’d gladly point out to me.”

“Hmph.” The last thing she wanted was Sam hanging around the farm. He still made her nerves tingle, still made her heart race. She wanted no part of those feelings anymore. She had enough on her plate, thank you very much. “I think we can manage without you.”

“So just you and Alicia and Seth are gonna pull this off in what? Less than two weeks?”

“Well, uh… I’ll figure out something.”

“You’ll figure it out, Autumn, with Sam’s help. He’s offered and it would be rude to refuse him,” Papa said.

“That’s right. I have nothing but time right now, except when duty calls for Nic’s wedding. And that’s only gonna take a little time.”

“It’s settled then,” Papa said. “Thank you, Sam.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad to help out.”